Peripheral nerve repair using olfactory ensheathing and stem cells within a vein graft.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess nerve regeneration in vein grafts filled with olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) or olfactory stem cells (ONSs) in a 15 mm gap male DA rat sciatic nerve model versus autografts.

METHODS

The control group (NG) received a nerve graft reversed and sutured into the 15 mm gap; all of the animals in the five experimental groups received a vein graft to bridge the 15 mm gap filled with extracellular matrix (ECM- MatrigelTM) only (VG); ECM with rat OECs suspended in ECM (VG + rOECs); ECM with human OECs (with Cyclosporin postoperatively to prevent graft rejection) (VG + hONS (c)); ECM only (with Cyclosporin postoperatively as a control for the previous group) (VG (c)); and ECM with rat ONSs within the vein grafts (VG + rONS). After 12 weeks ±4 days, electrophysiological analysis (latency and amplitude) and histological assessment of axon counts (immunohistochemistry with neurofilament [NF] stain) were undertaken.

RESULTS

Group VG + rOECs had the lowest latency results, NG had the highest amplitude results, and groups NG and VG + rOECs had significantly higher axon counts.

CONCLUSIONS

The results trended toward the VG + rOECs and NG groups having the most successful electrophysiology results and axon counts. Incorporating OECs into vein grafts may be a viable alternative to nerve grafts for peripheral nerve repair.